Method and system for configuring local and remote resources to accomplish rendering of multimedia content on dissimilar format devices based on user biometric data

ABSTRACT

A system and method is provided for communication of information in a mobile communication device (WMCD) configured to network connection may include discovering via a wireless mobile communication device, available communication resources based on acquired biometric data for a user of the WMCD, and communicating multimedia information between the WMCD and one or more of the discovered available resources. The acquired biometric data may include physical and behavioral biometric data to be authenticated and validated by a pattern recognition database. A connection between the WMCD and one or more discovered available resources may be established through linking the acquired biometric data to resources in available local or remote network. The established connection may enable the WMCD to consume or redirect media from the available resources and may be dynamically adjusted and updated based on dynamic sensing of the acquired biometric data in the available network or available resources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/861,219, filed Sep. 25, 2007, which makes reference to, claimspriority to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/950,956 filed on Jul. 20, 2007.

This application also makes reference to:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/862,224 filed on even date herewith;andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/861,220 filed on even date herewith.

Each of the above applications is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communication.More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to amethod and system for configuring local and remote resources toaccomplish rendering of multimedia content on dissimilar format devicesbased on user biometric data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of wireless communication has seen dramatic growth over thelast few years. Currently, most people use their wireless devices, be itcellular phones, PDA's, laptops, and/or other devices, for variouspurposes, business and personal, on a constant and daily basis. Societyis truly becoming a wireless one. Many wireless solutions have beenintroduced, and have made tremendous strides into everyday life.

For example, the use of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN) has beengaining popularity in a great number of applications because of theflexibility and convenience in connectivity they provide. WPAN systemsgenerally replace cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connectperipheral devices and/or mobile terminals by providing short distancewireless links that allow connectivity within very narrow spatiallimits. WPAN may be based on standardized technologies, for exampleClass 2 Bluetooth© technology. While WPAN may be very beneficial forcertain applications, other applications may require larger serviceareas and/or capabilities.

To satisfy such needs, other technologies have been developed to providegreater wireless service. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) systemsmay operate within a wider range. In contrast to the WPAN systems, WLANprovide connectivity to devices that are located within a slightlylarger geographical area, such as the area covered by a building or acampus, for example. WLAN systems are generally based on specificstandards, for example IEEE 802.11 standard specifications, andtypically operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilizedto supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wiredLocal Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as theWLAN system.

Other forms of wireless solutions have evolved from traditionalland-based communication technologies. For instance, cellular phoneshave become just about an absolute necessity in today's world. Whilecellular technology was merely intended to add an element of mobility tothe traditional telephony service, this technology has grown beyond thatinitial purpose. Many modern cellular technologies, including suchtechnologies as GSM/GPRS, UMTS, and CDMA2000 may incorporate substantialdata capabilities. Most of today's cellular services may include suchfeatures as text messaging, video streaming, web browsing, networkresources accessing etc.

In short, wireless networks may exist to support wireless mobilecommunication devices (WMCDs). However, while WMCDs have continued togrow in complexity and capability, these WMCDs still continue to sufferfrom some major limitations, especially physical limitations and power.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and/or system is provided for configuring local and remoteresources to accomplish rendering of multimedia content on dissimilarformat devices based on user biometric data, substantially as shown inand/or described in accordance to at least one of the figures, as setforth more completely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary WLAN infrastructure networkcomprising basic service sets (BSSs) integrated using a commondistribution system (DS) with a biometric data acquisition system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an exemplary WLAN infrastructure networkcomprising a basic service set (BSS) with stations that supportWLAN/Bluetooth© coexistence and configured with a biometric dataacquisition system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a wireless mobile communicationdevice communicating information to available resources based onacquired biometric data, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary biometric dataconnecting route linking a wireless mobile communication devicecommunicating information to available resources based on acquiredbiometric data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for thecommunication of information between a wireless mobile communicationdevice to network communication resources based on acquired user'sbiometric data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for storing andlinking authenticated and validated user's biometric data to user'spreferences, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system forconfiguring local and remote resources to accomplish rendering ofmultimedia content on dissimilar format devices. Exemplary aspects ofthe invention may comprise biometrically authenticating and validating auser's access to a wireless mobile communication device, discoveringavailable networks and resources and establishing a biometric datapreference connection between the wireless mobile communication deviceand selected resources. The biometric data preference connection may beestablished over a selected one more of the available networks based onuser biometric data preference criteria stored in the wireless mobilecommunication device. Once the biometric data preference link isestablished, multimedia data may be communicated between the wirelessmobile communication device and the selected one or more of theavailable resources in a local or remote network. The establishedconnection may be dynamically adjusted and updated, based onbiometrically authenticating and validating user's biometric data in thenetwork and resource lists. The wireless mobile communication device maycommunicate utilizing a plurality of wireless protocols.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary WLAN infrastructure networkcomprising basic service sets (BSSs) integrated using a commondistribution system (DS) with a biometric data acquisition system, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A,there is shown an exemplary secure WLAN infrastructure network 100comprising a first BSS 102 a, a second BSS 102 b, a DS 104, a wirednetwork 106, a portal 108, a first access point (AP) 112 a, a second AP112 b, communication resources such as a plurality of WLAN stations 110a to 110 d, a wireless mobile communication device (WMCD) 110 e and abiometric data acquisition system 115.

The first and second BSSs 102 a and 102 b may represent a fundamentalbuilding block of the IEEE 802.11 (WLAN) architecture and may be definedas a group of stations that are under the direct control of a singlecoordination function. The geographical area covered by a BSS is knownas the basic service area (BSA). The distribution system DS 104 may beutilized to integrate the BSSs 102 a and 102 b and may comprise suitablehardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted to operatewith edge devices such as switching routers, together with an accessnetwork which connects subscribers to their immediate service provideras a backbone network. The BSSs 102 a and 102 b may be responsible forMedium Access Control (MAC) level transport in the WLAN infrastructurenetwork 100. The DS 104, as specified by the IEEE 802.11 standard, maybe implementation independent. For example, the DS 104 may beimplemented utilizing IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN), IEEE802.4 token bus LAN, IEEE 802.5 token ring LAN, Fiber Distributed DataInterface (FDDI) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), or another IEEE 802.11wireless medium. The DS 104 may be implemented utilizing the samephysical medium as either the first BSS 102 a or the second BSS 102 b.However, the DS 104 may be logically different from the BSSs 102 a or102 b and may be utilized only to transfer packets between the BSSs 102a or 102 b and/or to transfer packets between the BSSs 102 a or 102 band the wired network 106.

The wired network 106 may comprise suitable hardware, logic, circuitry,and/or code that may be adapted to provide wired networking operations.The wired network 106 may be accessed from the WLAN infrastructurenetwork 100 via the portal 108. The portal 108 may comprise suitablehardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code and may be adapted to integratethe WLAN infrastructure network 100 with non-IEEE 802.11 networks.Moreover, the portal 108 may also be adapted to perform the functionaloperations of a bridge, such as range extension and/or translationbetween different frame formats, in order to integrate the WLANinfrastructure network 100 with IEEE 802.11-based networks.

The APs 112 a, 112 b and portal 108 may function as network gatewaysconnecting or directing network traffic from one network to othernetworks connected to the DS 104. The APs 112 a and 112 b may comprisesuitable hardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted tosupport range extension of the WLAN infrastructure network 100 byproviding the integration points necessary for network connectivity ornetwork traffic between the BSSs 102 a or 102 b. The WLAN stations 110 ato 110 d correspond to WLAN-enabled terminals that comprise suitablehardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted to provideconnectivity to the WLAN infrastructure network 100 via the APs 112 a or112 b.

The WLAN station 110 a and 110 c may comprise laptop computers and maycorrespond to a mobile station or terminal within the BSS and the WLANstation 110 b and 110 d shown are desktop computers and may correspondto a fixed or stationary terminal within the BSS 102 a or 102 b. Thewireless mobile communication device (WMCD) 110 e may provide numerousfunctions including mobile phone and PDA like services. Each BSS maycomprise a plurality of mobile or fixed stations and may not be limitedto the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 1A.

The biometric data acquisition system 115 may comprise a biometricsensor 118, acquired biometric data 101 (from user), a patternrecognition database 125 and an authentication and validation procedure117. Biometric data 101, such as finger print or retina data may beunique to a person. Such biometric data 101 may be classified into twomain types: physiological and behavioral biometric data. Thephysiological biometric data may be related to the physical aspect ofthe body such as facial features, finger prints, hand shape, iris bloodvessel pattern (iris scan) and DNA sequences. The behavioral biometricdata may be related to the expression of personality such asElectroencephalogram (EEG) that senses and measures brain waveactivities, signature, hand writing and voice. Therefore the biometricdata may be representative of the actual person or user. An example ofthe biometric sensor 118 may be a finger print scanner, an iris scanner,hand scanner, EEG brain wave electrodes or a voice coder.

In an embodiment of the invention, the biometric data authentication andvalidation procedure 117 may be used as a security measure to preventunauthorized entry or access to a restricted area and/or data other thanby the actual designated person. The authentication and validationprocedure 117 may comprise the steps of acquiring the biometric data 101using a biometric sensor 118, extracting biometric features fromacquired biometric data 101, generating a template (digitized pattern)from the biometric data 101, sending the template to enroll in a patternrecognition database 125, storing the template (stored template) ascorresponding user's data into the pattern recognition database 125 forfuture retrieval, matching or comparing a new acquired biometric data101 (generated template) with the corresponding data as stored templateusing a pattern recognition database, such as using a known algorithm.

If the biometric data 101 (generated template) and the correspondingdata as stored template in the pattern recognition database 125 matches,the user may be authenticated. If the authenticated biometric data 101matches a security policy permission database, for example, thebiometric data 101 may be validated and user's access or entry tocommunicate with the resources or information may be granted.

In another embodiment of the invention, biometric data 101 may beconfigured in a user's device preferences to be read by networkprotocols of a plurality of resources or networks (local and remote). Ausers' enrolled biometric data may be retrieved for authentication andvalidation from a pattern recognition database 125 in a local devicedatabase, local network database or in a remote network database. Apermission may be granted to communicate information between a user anda resource may establish a link or connection. A successful connectionmay be established through successions of authentication and validationsteps that may take place at network traffic junctions such as in adevice such as the WMCD 110 e, a router and/or a gateway. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the WMCD 110 e may simultaneously functionas a wireless router in the BSS 102 b.

Upon a successful authentication and validation to the device, therouter and/or the gateway, the user's biometric data 101 may be updatedor saved into user's preferences linking networks and names of resourcesalong the paths for expedient permission or denial of access for futuretraffic. The authentication and validation may also detail a data pathwith an activity log associating to the user's biometric data. Theactivity log may record and time stamp any transactions or informationexchange to identified resources within the networks locally orremotely. The user's preferences may comprise the user's identity(derived from biometric data 101), user's IP address, network addresses,network lists, resource list or resource IP addresses. The actual pathor routing of communication between the user and the resource may bedynamic and may change from one route in one time instance to anotherroute in another instance depending on the network traffic condition,the availability of network bandwidth and on the user's physicallocation and mobility.

A user of the WMCD 110 e may wish to utilize one or more home-basedresources while within a local network such as the BSS 102 b, or theuser of WMCD 110 e may wish to access other communication resources suchas WLAN stations 110 c or 110 d within another network such as the BSS102 a. An exemplary connection route may comprise WMCD 110 e through AP112 b to DS 104 to AP 112 a to BSS 102 a and to WLAN stations 110 c or110 d. The establishment of such a connection route may require adynamic routing capability, built-in knowledge of user preferencesand/or access privileges. The user preferences may comprise a user'sbiometric data that may be communicated as part of the protocol to gainauthentication and validation to connect to different network resourcesin the BSS 102 a, 102 b or wired network 106.

The biometric data acquisition system 115 may be configured throughoutthe WLAN infrastructure network 100. For example, each of thecommunication resources such as WLAN stations 110 a to 110 d, the WMCD110 e, and the APs 112 a, 112 b and portal 108 may be configured toauthenticate and validate the biometric data 101 through one or moreprotocols. In this example, the communication resources WLAN stations110 a, 110 b and WMCD 110 e within network BSS 102 b may be grantedaccess after authenticating and validating biometric data 101 (handshakesymbol). In this regard, the denial of access as indicated by references117 f and 117 g (no handshake symbol) to the resources in the networkBSS 102 a and wired network 106. The access denial 117 f and 117 g maybe due to the biometric data 101 either obtain authentication but novalidation or the biometric data 101 neither obtain authentication norvalidation at AP 112 a and portal 108.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an exemplary WLAN infrastructure networkcomprising a basic service set (BSS) with stations that supportWLAN/Bluetooth© coexistence and configured with biometric data accesslink, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG.1B, there is shown a WLAN structure comprising a first and second BSS102 a, 102 b, a wired network 106 connected together in a distributionsystem DS 104 through gateways such as AP 112 a, 112 b and portal 108.The exemplary WLAN infrastructure network 120 differs from the WLANinfrastructure network 100 in FIG. 1A in that at least one BSS comprisesat least one station or terminal that supports Bluetooth© technologyprotocol BT. The second BSS 102 b may further form an ad hoc piconet 116with peripheral devices 114 through Bluetooth© technology protocol BT.The peripheral devices 114 may comprise a keyboard, a mouse, a printer,a mobile phone, a PDA, and/or a set of headphones or speakers,

The network in BSS 102 b may comprise a plurality of communicationresources such as mobile terminals or stations 110 b, WMCD 110 e such asa Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or a mobile phone 110 f. The laptopcomputer 110 a is now shown to be Bluetooth© enabled. The peripheraldevices 114 shown may be part of the Wireless Personal Area Network(WPAN) supported by the Bluetooth© enabled laptop computer 110 a. Eachof the communication resources within BSS 102 b may be configured with abiometric data acquisition system 115 such that each resource may have abiometric sensor 118 to acquire a user's biometric data 101. Accessingthe network and device resources, their information or utilizing theirfunctions may require that the user's biometric data 101 beauthenticated and validated by respective pattern recognition databasewithin respective device resources, the local network BSS 102 b or theremote networks such as BSS 102 a or wired network 106.

Generally, the ad-hoc Bluetooth© piconet 116 may comprise a masterdevice or terminal and up to seven slave devices or terminals, each maybe activated through user's biometric data 101 a and 101 b at separatephysical locations. In this exemplary implementation, the laptopcomputer 110 a may correspond to as a master Bluetooth© terminal and theperipheral devices 114 may correspond to the slave Bluetooth© devices orterminals. The terminal 110 b, PDA 110 c and mobile phone 110 d may eachform its own respective ad hoc Bluetooth© piconet or may become part ofthe ad hoc Bluetooth© piconet 116 to the master Bluetooth© terminal suchas the laptop computer 110 a.

Each of the peripheral devices 114 may be configured with a biometricdata acquisition system 115 such that each device may have a biometricsensor 118 to acquire a user's biometric data 101 a for accessprivileges. Accessing the peripheral devices 114, their information orutilizing their functions may require that the user's biometric data 101a be acquired, authenticated and validated 117 j by, for example, apattern recognition database 125 stored in the peripheral device 114.Alternately, the pattern recognition database 125 may be securelyretrieved remotely through a network.

Peripheral devices in the ad hoc piconet 116 may communicate informationwith resources in the local network BSS 102 b or from the remotenetworks BSS 102 a or the wired network 106 based on the acquiredbiometric data 101. In another embodiment of the invention, theperipheral devices 114 may grant access privileges to their use,information or functions based on authentication and validation ofreceived biometric data 101 a from Bluetooth© protocol BT to the patternrecognition database 125 without the need of a biometric sensor.

The user of the WMCD such as the laptop computer 110 a may wish toutilize home-based resources while within an area with multiple wirelessor wired networks 102 a, 102 b, 104 and 106, or the user may wish toaccess peripheral devices 114 utilizing other wireless protocols withinthe same area such as the ad hoc Bluetooth© piconet 116. Theestablishment of such a connection utilizing a single WMCD such as thelaptop computer 110 a may require a dynamic routing capability. Thedynamic routing capability may utilize multi-protocol capability andbuilt-in knowledge of user preferences including authentication andvalidation 117 f, 117 e and 117 g of user's biometric data 101 c to 101e at a plurality of network gateways such as AP 112 a, 112 b and portal108 using respective pattern recognition database 125 f, 125 e and 125g.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a wireless mobile communicationdevice communicating information to available resources based onacquired biometric data, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 2A, there is shown a mobile communicationdevice configured an ad hoc network 200A comprising a biometricacquisition system 215 similar to the one described in FIG. 1A, abiometric data enabled local network 211 and a biometric data enabledhome network 203. The biometric data enabled local network 211 maycommunicate with the biometric data enabled home network 203 via thebiometric data enabled Internet 216. The biometric data enabled localnetwork 211 may comprise a plurality of resources or devices such as awireless mobile communication device (WMCD) 202, an audio system 204, anHDTV monitor 206, a printer/scanner/fax 208, a wireless base station oraccess point 210 and a PC host 212.

Each of the resources or devices within the biometric data enabled localnetwork 211 or the biometric data enabled home network 203 may comprisea biometric data acquisition system 215 where the communication ofinformation among the resources within the local network 211 or with thehome network 203 may require the steps of user's biometric dataauthentication and validation 217 a to 217 m discussed in FIGS. 1A and1B. Likewise network traffic authentication and validation 217 c, 217 kand 217 d may require matching the respective biometric data 201 c, 201d and 201 e with respective pattern recognition database at AP 210, 220c and/or the Internet 216.

The biometric data enabled home network 203 may comprise a plurality ofresources or devices such as a wired host PC 218, a PC host 222, astorage 224, a wireless base station or access point 220 and a digitalvideo recorder (DVR) 226. The resources or devices coupled to thebiometric data enabled local network 211 and the biometric data enabledhome network 203 may be communicatively coupled to their respective basestation or access point 210/220 via a wired or wireless connectionutilizing one of a plurality of protocols, such as Bluetooth©, wirelessLAN 802.11, for example. The number of devices is not limited to thenumber shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, any number of networked multimediainput/output resources or devices may be utilized.

The WMCD 202 may comprise a device capable of communicating wirelesslyutilizing a plurality of methods and/or protocols and a plurality ofnetworks. In this example, the network communication may be achieved viathe cellular tower 214, or the wireless base station AP 210. The WMCD202 may function as a cellular phone, personal data assistant, and/or amobile computing device, for example. In addition, the WMCD 202 mayfunction as a router, in that it may configure itself to use and connectto local and remote resources to perform multimedia and communicationtasks by auto discovery of local devices and capabilities viastandardized network protocols. The user's biometric data 201 may betransmitted as part of the data in the standardized network protocols.

In operation, exemplary local resources or devices such as the audiosystem 204, HDTV monitor 206, printer/scanner/fax 208, wireless basestation or access point 210 and PC host 212 to the mobile device WMCD202 may announce their capabilities and availability in instances whenthe WMCD 202 comes in range of them and discovers the wired or wirelessnetwork that links them. In another embodiment of the invention, theWMCD 202 may poll for available networks and resources. In this manner,the WMCD 202 may maintain a list of local resources or devices that itmay communicate with along with their capabilities.

The WMCD 202 may keep a list of resources available on its biometricdata enabled home network 203 and may update that list and the bandwidthcapabilities of its connection to the home network 203 via locallyavailable networks 211 at all times. In instances when the user of themobile device WMCD 202 may wish to accomplish a certain multimedia orcommunications task, the WMCD 202 may configure the local and remoteresources in order to accomplish the multimedia or communications task.The WMCD 202 configuration of local and remote resources may be savedunder the user's preferences comprising authenticated and validatedbiometric data 201, in accordance to the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, the biometric data enabled homenetwork 203 resources may comprise a powerful PC, such as the wired PChost 218, with large amounts of storage and computing resources,including transcoding capabilities and local digital video storage. Inaddition, the WMCD 202 may be connected to a wireless network that maycomprise an HDTV monitor 206 that may be available for use and have highbandwidth connectivity via the Internet to the home network 203. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the connectivity in the localnetwork 211 may be a personal area network (PAN) or a wireless personalarea network (WPAN) via Bluetooth or ultra wide band (UWB). The WMCD202, however, has internet capability and could fetch multimedia contentover the internet and send it to the HDTV monitor 206 via the availablelocal network 211 wirelessly or via cable. An exemplary biometric dataconnecting route linking the WMCD 202 communicating information toavailable resources based on acquired biometric data will be illustratedin FIG. 2B.

Through the steps of user's biometric data authentication and validation217 a to 217 m, the WMCD 202 may create an ad hoc network 200A that maybe a virtual network comprising resources or devices from the homenetwork 203 to the local network 211. A route may be established where adevice based on user's biometric data by configuring both local andremote resources to accomplish rendering of multimedia content ondissimilar format devices.

For example, the WMCD 202 may communicate with the resources in thebiometric data enabled home network 203 to facilitate and coordinatetasks and services. Data may be streamed from a home video storagedevice, such as the DVR 226, for example, through the wired PC host 218for transcoding to a different display format. The data may becommunicated over the Internet 216 to the local network 211 and to thelocal HDTV monitor 206 for display. The WMCD 202 may also configure thead hoc network 200A and the audio system 204 to play audio thatcorresponds to the video playing on the HDTV monitor 206. In thismanner, one or more of the available network routes and resources may bediscovered for data processing and consumption.

The ad hoc network 200A and connecting of resources described above maybe achieved by the WMCD 202 creating and updating its list of local andremote resources via its biometric data linked user preferences whenevernetwork locality changes. The discovery of local resources may beachieved by listening and logging announcement messages that detailresources and their capabilities or by querying new local networks foravailable resources. One or both of these functions may be accomplishedwith standardized protocols. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, WLAN devices may use, for example, beacons or other types ofmessages to broadcast their capabilities or available resources.

In an exemplary aspect of the invention, the WMCD 202 may be withinrange of a WLAN, such as the local network 211. The WMCD 202 user maywish to stream video on the HDTV monitor 206 and audio for the video onthe audio system 204, both from a data source, such as the storage 224,or the DVR 226, on the home network 203, for example. The WMCD 202 maydetermine whether the WLAN, the local network 211, may be in its list ofaccessible networks stored in the user's preferences.

In another aspect of the invention, when the WMCD 202 may not have thelocal network 211 in its stored database of networks and resources, theWMCD 202 may receive information broadcasted by network 211, such as thenetwork system IP address, which may comprise information about thewireless protocol, speed and access rights, for example. Such accessrights to the biometric data enabled local network 211 may be grantedafter the WMCD 202 user's biometric data may be enrolled and stored intothe network's database as among the approval list.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary biometric dataconnecting route linking a wireless mobile communication devicecommunicating information to available resources based on acquiredbiometric data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 2B, there is shown a biometric data connecting routeconnecting paths 250 a to 250 q. The exemplary route may start with path250 a where the WMCD 202 may be biometrically authenticated andvalidated 217 a via a biometric data acquisition system 215. Thebiometric authentication and validation 217 a may be saved into a userpreference with available network list and resource list in the WMCD202.

The WMCD 202 may dynamically establish a biometric data connecting routevia path 250 b from the WMCD 202, through the AP 210, via path 250 c tothe Internet 216, via path 250 d to the AP 220, via path 250 e to thestorage 224 and/or via path 250 g to the DVR 226, and via paths 250 f or250 i respectively to path 250 k back to the internet 216 to the localnetwork 211, via path 250 m to the AP 210, and via path 250 p to theHDTV monitor 206 and via path 250 n to the audio system 204.

The user of WMCD 202 may determine that the format of the video storedon the storage 224 and/or the DVR 226 may not be appropriate for theHDTV monitor 206. In this instance, the WMCD 202 may via path 250 hdirect the video data through the wired PC host 218, which may transcodethe video data file to a suitable format to be rendered or displayed onthe HDTV monitor 206 via path 250 j and respective return paths 250 k,250 m, 250 p. If the settings of the resources HDTV 206 and audio system204 may be acceptable, the user of WMCD 202 may update the biometricdata linked user preference in the WMCD 202. The updated user preferencemay store the preferred network list (local network 211 and home network203), and preferred resource list (audio system 204, HDTV 206, wired PChost 218, storage 224 and DVR 226) with the preferred settings of theaforementioned resources.

Prior to the WMCD 202 dynamically establishing a connecting routestarting from path 250 b, the WMCD 202 user preferences may not havestored information on the available resources (already authenticated andvalidated the user's biometric data) in the local network 211 and thehome network 203. The WMCD 202 may poll or discover the network 211 and203 for resources and their characteristics. In this manner, the storednetwork and resource list in the user preferences may be continuouslyupdated in association with the authenticated and validated biometricdata 201 enrolled in the corresponding pattern recognition database 225via path 250 q.

In addition to storing user's biometric data 201 and lists of networksand resources available, the WMCD 202 may also store preferences fordynamic sensing of network and resources availability via path 250 q,such as the type of networks the user may have access to, and thepreferred protocol to utilize if a plurality of protocols may beavailable, for example. In instances where the WMCD 202 may be utilizinga cellular network, such as through the cellular tower 214, and the WMCD202 moves into an area where a WLAN may be available, such as throughthe AP 210, and the WMCD 202 stored preferences may indicate that theWLAN may be preferred over the cellular network, the WMCD 202 may switchover to the WLAN as shown in FIG. 2A.

The WMCD 202 may build the ad hoc network 200A or 200B based on theuser's request for a particular function and the availability ofresources. For example, there may be multiple display devices availablefor consumption in a local network 211, such as the small screen on theWMCD 202 and a larger networked display, such as the HDTV monitor 206.The WMCD 202 may pick the best means of displaying the content based onthe bandwidth of the various heterogeneous networks that may betraversed, the requirement and availability of transcoding resources,and the battery power available on the mobile device. In instances wherethere may be sufficient battery and CPU resources available in the WMCD202, the WMCD 202 may choose to perform the transcoding functionslocally. In instances where transcoding may not be available, the WMCD202 could display the content on its device display.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the biometric sensor218 may comprise EEG brain wave electrodes and the pattern recognitiondatabase 225 may store user's brain wave activities as signature. Theuser's brain wave activities may further be mapped to another databaseassociating the user to certain tasks or activities the user may wantthe WMCD 202 to perform. One example of such task may be to watchchannel multimedia on the HDTV 206 in a hotel room while using the DVR226 and wired PC host 218 in a remote home network 203 to transcodevideo data under the WMCD 202 EEG biometric data linked preferences. Theuser may interrupt, switch or select different tasks or activities byusing mental control based on EEG biometric data sensing.

In another embodiment according to the invention, the biometric data201, 201 a, 201 c, 201 d and 201 e may be from many sources at the sametime. For example one form of biometric data is simply recognizing “who”is accessing the device, but could include who else is in the vicinity(facial, fingerprint, EKG, etc) and discerning the mood of each of theusers in the networks 211 and 203. In another implementation ofbiometric data 201, linking preferences may be based on “learnedbiometric data”. Such learning may comprise using the biometric data 201to extract information into the data base 225, for example, sensing themood of the user when responding to a news article to prioritize otherdata of that type.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps for thecommunication of information between a wireless mobile communicationdevice to network communication resources based on acquired user'sbiometric data, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.Referring to FIG. 3A following start step 301, in step 302 authenticateand validate user's biometric data. User's acquired biometric data 201may be authenticated and validated 217 by matching to a patternrecognition database 225.

In step 303, a search may be done to locate networks. In this regard,the WMCD 202 may search for an available network such as ad hoc piconet116, or ad hoc networks 200A or 200B comprising a local network 211 or aremote home network 203. If, in step 305, none are available, the WMCD202 may step back to step 303 and continue to poll for availablenetworks via path 250 q. If one or more networks are available, in step307, the WMCD 202 may through a user's preference on WMCD 202, linkuser's biometric data to determine whether the network may be in astored list of preferred networks.

If the one or more found networks are not in the stored list, theprocess may proceed to step 309 where the WMCD 202 may determine ifaccess privileges may be acquirable. The determination may be based on,for example, the network's traffic condition or a successful networkprotocol established with a routing device such as the WMCD 202,gateways such as AP 210, AP 220 or a distribution system such asinternet 216. If, in step 309, access privileges may not be acquirablein those networks, the process may return to step 303 to search furtherfor next available networks. If access privileges are not acquirable, instep 311, access privileges may be established using a user's biometricdata. Access privileges may be established by a process ofauthentication and validation 217 c, 217 g or 217 k based on user'sbiometric data 201 c, 201 d or 201 e described in FIG. 1A.

In step 312, the network list may be updated in step 313, resources maybe polled or otherwise discovered. In step 312, the available networklist may be updated and added to the database of stored list (accessprivileges granted) in user's preferences. If the one or more foundnetworks are in the stored list, the process may proceed to step 313where the WMCD 202 may poll for available resources. The availableresources may comprise an HDTV monitor 206, an audio system 204, aprinter/scanner/fax 208, or other computing and/or multimedia devicessuch as a PC host 212, for example. If, in step 315, no resources arefound, the process may return to step 313 where the WMCD 202 maycontinue to poll available resources. If one or more resources may befound in step 315, the process may proceed to step 317.

If, in step 317, the found resources are not found in a stored desirableor preferred list of resources, the process may proceed to step 319,where the WMCD 202 may determine if access privileges to the resourcesare acquirable. The desirable or preferred list of resources may belinked to a user's preference based on for example user's biometricdata. If access privileges to the resources are not acquirable, theprocess may return to step 313, where the WMCD 202 may continue to pollfor available resources.

If, in step 319, access privileges may be acquired for the one or moreavailable resources, the process may proceed to step 321 where the WMCD202 may establish access privileges based on user's biometric data andupdate resource list in step 322. In step 321, access privileges may beestablished by a process of authentication and/or validation 217 b, 217d, 217 e or 217 f based on user's biometric data 201, 201 a or 201 c ina pattern recognition database 225, 225 a, 224 stored locally in theresources, in the local network 211 or in the remote home network 203respectively. In step 322, the available resource list may be updatedand added to the database of stored list (access privileges granted) inuser's preferences in step 302.

If, in step 317, one or more desired or preferred resources are found ina stored list of resources, or after establishing new resources withaccess privileges in step 321, step 323 may be followed. In step 323,configure virtual network such as ad hoc piconet 116, ad hoc network200A or 200B to home network based on biometric data, where the virtualnetwork between the home network 203 and the local network 211 may beestablished. The WMCD 202 may configure a virtual network from a localnetwork 211 to a home network 203 and then proceed to step 325 for thecommunication of data between local network 211 and home network 203resources based on biometric data, followed by end step 327.

FIG. 3B illustrates exemplary steps for storing and linkingauthenticated and validated user's biometric data to user's preferences,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3B describesexemplary steps in reference to step 302 of FIG. 3A. In an embodiment ofthe invention, step 302 may comprise the steps of authenticating andvalidating biometric data, storing and linking user's biometric data touser's preferences for discovering and accessing available network listor resource list in the network.

In step 302 a, a user may request access. A user may request access to adevice such as a WMCD 202. In step 302 b, user's biometric data may beacquired such as by reading. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, a biometric sensor 218 may acquire user's biometric data 201by, for example, scanning and digitizing the user's finger print or theuser's face. In step 302 c, user features may be extracted. Thebiometric data 201 may be processed using a biometric data algorithm toextract the user's features. In step 302 d, a template may be generatedwith characteristic features of the user.

In step 302 e, the WMCD 202 may retrieve corresponding data as storedtemplates from a pattern recognition database in step 302 f to match theuser's generated template. In step 302 f, a pattern recognition databasemay be updated. The pattern recognition database may be built up byenrolling one or more user's biometric data. Access preferences to eachindividual user may be set by a security policy determined by a databaseadministrator. The database may be updated in enrollment or in accesspreferences. In instances where no match is found, in step 302 g, deviceaccess may be denied. Subsequent to step 302 g, the exemplary steps maythen terminate at step 327. Although not shown, the user may request oneor more subsequent accesses by rescanning user's biometric data into theWMCD 202 and reinitiate the biometric data acquisition process at step302 a.

If, in step 302 e, the template matched, then in step 302 h, deviceaccess may be granted. If user's generated template matches storedtemplate in the pattern recognition database, the user may beauthenticated and/or validated. The user may be granted permission toaccess the WMCD 202. In step 302 j, biometric data may be stored topreferences. Upon authentication and/or validation of the user, theuser's biometric data 201 may be stored into the preferences of thedevice WMCD 202. In step 302 k, the biometric data may be update and/orlinked to network list and/or resource list. The acquired user'sbiometric data may be stored and linked to the device preferences. Thedevice preference may comprise listings of preferred networks andlistings of preferred resources forming a biometric data connectingroute comprising exemplary paths 250 a to 250 q to connect the preferredresources in the preferred network. In step 312, updates to the networklist or the resource list may be received from steps 312 or 322 whereadditional available networks and/or devices may be discovered based onuser's biometric data authentication and/or validation.

The steps of the process in FIGS. 3A and 3B may be rearranged in adifferent order or substituted with similar or equivalent operation toaccomplish the same results of information communication between a WMCDto network communication resources without departing form the scope andspirit of the invention.

In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the method forcommunication of information in a mobile communication device configurednetwork connection 200 may comprise discovering via a wireless mobilecommunication device WMCD 202, available communication resources such asnetwork device resources 204, 206, 208, 212, 218, 222, 224 or 226 basedon acquired biometric data 201 for a user of the WMCD 202 andcommunicating multimedia information between the WMCD 202 and one ormore of the discovered available resources 204, 206, 208, 212, 218, 222,224 or 226.

The method may comprise authenticating and validating 217 the acquiredbiometric data 201 to a pattern recognition database 225. The acquiredbiometric data 201 may comprise physical and behavioral biometric data.A biometric data connecting route between the WMCD 202 and one or morediscovered available resources 204, 206, 208, 212, 218, 222, 224 or 226may be established through linking the authenticated and validateduser's biometric data 201 to a network list and a resource list. Thenetwork list may comprise one or more available networks such as abiometric data enabled ad hoc piconet 116, or ad hoc networks 200A or200B. The resource list may comprise one or more discovered availableresources 204, 206, 208, 212, 218, 222, 224 or 226.

The established connection may enable the WMCD 202 to consume orredirect media from the discovered available resources 204, 206, 208,212, 218, 222, 224 or 226 in a local network 211 or remote home network203. The method may enable the user to update the availability to thenetworks 211 or 203 and resources 204, 206, 208, 212, 218, 222, 224 or226 based on dynamic sensing of the user's biometric data 201.

Certain embodiments of the invention may comprise a machine-readablestorage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least onecode section for communicating information within a network, the atleast one code section being executable by a machine for causing themachine to perform one or more of the steps described herein.

Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in hardware,software, firmware or a combination thereof. The invention may berealized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system or ina distributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware, software and firmware may bea general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, whenbeing loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that itcarries out the methods described herein.

One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a boardlevel product, as a single chip, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a single chip with otherportions of the system as separate components. The degree of integrationof the system will primarily be determined by speed and costconsiderations. Because of the sophisticated nature of modernprocessors, it is possible to utilize a commercially availableprocessor, which may be implemented external to an ASIC implementationof the present system. Alternatively, if the processor is available asan ASIC core or logic block, then the commercially available processormay be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functionsimplemented as firmware.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext may mean, for example, any expression, in any language, code ornotation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having aninformation processing capability to perform a particular functioneither directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversionto another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a differentmaterial form. However, other meanings of computer program within theunderstanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated by thepresent invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A method, comprising: acquiring biometric data in a wireless mobilecommunication device (WMCD); determining whether the acquired biometricdata corresponds to a user of the WMCD; discovering availablecommunication resources within range of the WMCD; determining whetherthe available communication resources correspond to preferencesassociated with the user; and communicating multimedia informationbetween the WMCD and one of the discovered available communicationresources.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determiningwhether the acquired biometric data corresponds to a user of the WMCDfurther comprises authenticating the acquired biometric data for theuser of the WMCD.
 3. The method according to claim 2, comprisingmatching the acquired biometric data to corresponding data in a patternrecognition database, wherein the acquired biometric data comprisesphysiological biometric data.
 4. The method according to claim 2,comprising matching the acquired biometric data to corresponding data ina pattern recognition database, wherein the acquired biometric datacomprises behavioral biometric data.
 5. The method according to claim 1,comprising establishing a connection between the WMCD and one of thediscovered available resources.
 6. The method according to claim 5,comprising consuming media from the one of the discovered availableresources on the WMCD via the established connection.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 5, comprising redirecting via the WMCD, media fromthe one of the discovered available resources for consumption on aremote device.
 8. The method according to claim 5, comprising initiatingtranscoding of a media item from the one of the discovered availableresources to a media format compatible with the WMCD.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 5, comprising initiating transcoding of a media itemfrom the one of the discovered available resources to a media formatcompatible with a remote device in communication with the WMCD.
 10. Asystem, comprising: circuitry configured to acquire biometric data in awireless mobile communication device (WMCD); circuitry configured todetermine whether the acquired biometric data corresponds to a user ofthe WMCD; circuitry configured to discover available communicationresources within range of the WMCD; circuitry configured to determinewhether the available communication resources correspond to preferencesassociated with the user; and circuitry configured to communicatemultimedia information between the WMCD and one of the discoveredavailable resources.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the circuitrythat determines whether the acquired biometric data corresponds to auser of the WMCD further comprises circuitry that authenticates theacquired biometric data for the user of the WMCD.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, further comprising circuitry that matches the acquiredbiometric data to corresponding data in a pattern recognition database,the acquired biometric data comprising physiological biometric data. 13.The system of claim 11, further comprising circuitry that matches theacquired biometric data to corresponding data in a pattern recognitiondatabase, the acquired biometric data comprising behavioral biometricdata.
 14. The system of claim 10, further comprising circuitry thatestablishes a connection between the WMCD and the one of the discoveredavailable resources.
 15. The system of claim 14, further comprisingcircuitry that obtains media from the one of the discovered availableresources on the WMCD via the established connection.
 16. The system ofclaim 14, further comprising circuitry that redirects via the WMCD,media from the one of the discovered available resources for consumptionon a remote device.
 17. The system of claim 14, further comprisingcircuitry that initiates transcoding of a media item from the one of thediscovered available resources to a media format compatible with theWMCD.
 18. The system of claim 14, further comprising circuitry thatinitiates transcoding of a media item from the one of the discoveredavailable resources to a media format compatible with a remote device incommunication with the WMCD.
 19. A computer readable storage mediumembodying a software program executable by a machine comprising codeconfigured to: acquire biometric data in a wireless mobile communicationdevice (WMCD); determine whether the acquired biometric data correspondsto a user of the WMCD; discover available communication resources withinrange of the WMCD; determine whether the available communicationresources correspond to preferences associated with the user; andcommunicate multimedia information between the WMCD and at least one ofthe identified available resources.
 20. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 19, further comprising code configured to: determine amedia format of a media item available on the at least one of thediscovered available resources; determine whether the media format iscompatible with the WMCD; and initiate transcoding of the media item toa format that is compatible with the WMCD.